(06/15/05)

Society of Nuclear Medicine, Metro Toronto Convention Centre to Host World’s Largest Gathering of Physicians, Technologists, Scientists and Pharmacists

TORONTO, June 15, 2005 -- Leading molecular/nuclear imaging authorities will come together to share research, learn about the latest breakthroughs and trends in nuclear medicine, and discuss important issues in the field that have been making news at the Society of Nuclear Medicine's (SNM) 52^nd Annual Meeting.

To be held June 18-22 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), this event is considered the world’s largest focused exclusively on nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. More than 4,000 physicians, technologists, scientists and pharmacists are expected to attend.

Research topics for the 2005 meeting will include: techniques for the early diagnosis of

Alzheimer's disease; advanced imaging for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancer; nuclear cardiology; terrorism using radioactive materials; and, the collaboration between nuclear medicine and bioengineering in the fight against cancer. All in all, more than 1,600 scientific, technologist and technologist-student abstracts will be presented. Key speakers are listed here:

Sanjiv (Sam) Gambhir, M.D., Ph.D., of Stanford University School of Medicine, will focus on the current status of molecular imaging and provide a glimpse into the future of this exciting field.

Henry N. Wagner Jr., M.D., a pioneer in the field for nearly 50 years, will discuss trends in molecular/nuclear imaging and the meeting's significant findings.

Angelica Bischof Delaloye, M.D., of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland, will review the ongoing activities, problems and needs of nuclear medicine on a global scale.

Michael D. Devous Sr., Ph.D., professor of radiology, radiological sciences and bioengineering and the associate director of the Nuclear Medicine Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, will discuss “The Role of Nuclear Medicine” in the Dementias and Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Kathleen Passanisi, an internationally recognized speaker, humorist, medical professional and author, will also serve as a plenary speaker.

"The society offers an exciting program consisting of novel advances in basic, translational and

clinical research in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging for medical practitioners,

technologists, scientists, physicists and pharmacists from around the world," said SNM President

Mathew L. Thakur, Ph.D.

“We are delighted to be welcoming this international group of medical professionals to Toronto and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,” MTCC president & CEO Barry Smith said. “Molecular/nuclear imaging research in diagnosis and treatment knows no borders, and having the world’s best here can only contribute more to medical science.”

Smith added that the MTCC anticipates this major convention will produce significant revenue for Toronto’s hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, with an overall economic impact in the range of $9.8 million in direct spending.

About the Society of Nuclear Medicine

Founded in 1954, SNM is an international scientific and professional organization of more than 16,000 members dedicated to promoting the science, technology and practical applications of molecular imaging/nuclear medicine. Through its annual meeting and other programs, SNM provides the medical community with the most up-to-date and pertinent information concerning the fields of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. SNM is based in Reston, Va.; additional information can be found online at http://www.snm.org.

About the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC)

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada’s #1 trade and convention facility and one of the finest in North America. With more than 2 million square feet of state-of-the-art space, it is considered a world-class, tier-one facility.

Since its opening in 1984, the MTCC has hosted approximately 10,000 events, entertained nearly 40 million guests and has had a multi-billion dollar direct and indirect economic impact on the City and Province. For more information, please visit www.mtccc.com.